Vehicle fuel tank vapor recovery system

Abstract

A fuel vapor recovery system wherein the physical installation and removal of the sealant member or gas cap is the activator of the system. The present invention offers a valve assembly which is mounted in the fuel filler tube and is positionally responsive to the presence or removal of the closure member assembly. The valve assembly of the present invention is disposed in combination with a vapor vent line leading to a fuel vapor canister. Broadly stated, the valve assembly includes first and second annular seals disposed on opposite sides of the vent port. The first seal blocks or prevents communication between the atmosphere and the fuel tank interior when the gas cap is removed. The second seal permits communication between the vapor vent and the fuel tank interior when the gas cap is removed from the open ended filler tube and blocks communication between the fuel tank's interior and the vent port when the cap assembly is reinstalled.

Thus, having adequately described our invention, what we claim is: 
     
       1. A fuel filler system for an automobile vehicle comprising: a fuel tank;   an open ended fuel filler tube connected to the tank and having a vapor vent leading to a canister, the open end of said filler tube closed by a removable threaded filler cap: and   operative means having internal threads cooperating with said filler cap threads for reciprocable movement in said filler tube in combination with said vapor vent for selectively preventing fuel vapors from passing from said tank as a function of a filler cap disposition.   
     
     
       2. The invention according to claim 1 including annular sealant means and an inner seal on said operative means, said annular sealant means acting to prevent the passage of vapors to the atmosphere when the cap is removed and a filler nozzle engages said inner seal. 
     
     
       3. A fuel filler system for an automobile vehicle comprising: a fuel tank;   an open ended fuel filler tube connected to the tank and having a vapor vent leading to a canister, the open end of said filler tube being closed by a removable threaded filler cap; and   operative means cooperating with said filler cap for reciprocable movement in said filler tube in combination with said vapor vent for selectively preventing fuel vapors from passing from said tank as a function of filler cap disposition, said operative means including an apertured body adapted to receive a fuel pump nozzle with sealant means for preventing vapor escapement around said pump nozzle, annular sealant means disposed adjacent said vapor vent, said annular sealant means permitting vapors to be exhausted from the fuel tank through said vapor vent when the filler cap is removed from the filler tube and preventing vapors from being exhausted from the fuel tank when the filler cap closes the filler tube.   
     
     
       4. A fuel filler system for an automobile vehicle comprising: a fuel tank;   an open ended fuel filler tube connected to the tank and having a vapor vent leading to a canister, the open end of said filler tube being closed by a removable threaded filler cap; and   operative means including an apertured body adapted to receive a fuel pump nozzle disposed in said filler tube in combination with said vapor vent for selectively preventing fuel vapors from passing from said tank as a function of filler cap disposition, sealant means in said body for preventing vapor escapement around said pump nozzle, said apertured body being prevented from rotating and adapted for endwise displacement in said filler tube between first and second positions, and annular sealant means disposed adjacent said vapor vent permitting vapors to be exhausted from the fuel tank through said vapor vent when the filler cap is removed from the filler tube and preventing vapors from being exhausted from the fuel tank when the filler cap closes the filler tube.   
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said apertured body includes internal threading adapted to cooperate with said filler cap. 
     
     
       6. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said operative means further includes an apertured ring opening to said vapor vent and having a pair of axially spaced flanges, said apertured body further including axially spaced seal surfaces arranged to cooperate with said flanges to define first and second annular sealant means. 
     
     
       7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said apertured body automatically moves from one position to another when the filler cap is removed under the influence of resilient biasing means. 
     
     
       8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein one of said flanges is defined by a resilient seal ring. 
     
     
       9. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said operative means includes valve assembly means disposed between said apertured body and said canister for preventing liquid fuel from being delivered to said canister. 
     
     
       10. In combination with a fuel tank having a filler neck adapted to be opened or closed by a closure member, and an apparatus for controlling the passage of fuel vapors from the fuel tank during a filling process, said apparatus comprising: an air vent provided in said filler neck and connected to a storage canister, and   a fuel tank nozzle receptacle assembly arranged in said filler neck to sealingly surround a pump nozzle inserted into said filler neck and through said receptacle assembly and including a nonrotatable apertured body arranged in said filler neck for endwise displacement between first and second positions, and means disposed in combination with said air vent for controlling vapor pressure from said tank as a function of the closure member disposition including first and second annular sealant means disposed on opposite sides of said air vent.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10 where said apertured body includes sealant means arranged to snugly fit about said pump nozzle inserted therethrough. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said nozzle receptacle assembly includes a ring-like member opening to and having flanges disposed on opposite sides of said air vent, said flanges being adapted to cooperate with seal surfaces on said apertured body for controlling vapor escapement from said fuel tank. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said ring-like member is sealingly disposed in said filler neck. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein at least one of said flanges is defined by a resilient seal ring. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a portion of said apertured body threadably accommodates said closure member. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said apparatus further includes means for automatically moving said apertured body from one position to another in response to the closure member opening said filler neck. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said automatic moving means includes resilient means for continually applying a biasing force against said apertured body. 
     
     
       18. In combination with a fuel tank having an open ended filler tube, filler tube closure means for blocking communication between the fuel tank interior and exterior, at least one unrestricted vent port for communicating fuel vapors from the fuel tank interior to a canister, and an apparatus for controlling vapor loss from said fuel tank, said apparatus comprising: a movable body disposed in said filler tube and having a first movable seal surface; and operative means cooperating with said movable seal surface for blocking communication between said unrestricted vent port and the interior of said fuel tank when said closure means is arranged to close the open of said filler tube and   permitting communication between said unrestricted vent port and said fuel tank interior when the closure means is removed from the open ended filler tube, said operative means including a fixed annular flange disposed on one side of said unrestricted vent port for sealing engagement with a movable seal surface, and a second relatively fixed annular flange disposed on the other side of said unrestricted vent port for sealing engagement with another movable seal surface.   
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said fixed annular flange is part of an annular ring fixedly accommodated and sealed within said filler tube. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one of said relatively fixed annular flanges is a seal lip carried by said annular ring. 
     
     
       21. In combination with a fuel tank having an open ended filler tube, filler tube closure means for blocking communication between the fuel tank interior and exterior, at least one unrestricted vent port for communicating fuel vapors from the fuel tank interior to a canister, and an apparatus for controlling vapor loss from said fuel tank, said apparatus comprising: operative means for blocking communication between said unrestricted vent port and the interior of said fuel tank when said closure means is arranged to close the open end of said filler tube and including a fixed annular flange disposed on one side of said unrestricted vent port for sealing engagement with a movable seal surface, said movable seal surface being arranged on a movable body disposed in said filler tube permitting communication between said unrestricted vent port and said fuel tank interior when the closure means is removed from the open ended filler tube, and a second movable seal surface on said movable body.   
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said movable body is adapted for endwise movement in said filler neck between first and second positions. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said movable body is biased toward one position under the influence of resilient means. 
     
     
       24. In combination with a fuel tank having an open ended filler tube, filler tube closure means for blocking communication between the fuel tank interior and exterior, at least one unrestricted vent port for communicating fuel vapors from the fuel tank interior to a canister, and an apparatus for controlling vapor from said fuel tank, said apparatus comprising: operative means for blocking communication between said unrestricted vent port and the interior of said fuel tank when said closure means is arranged to close the open end of said filler tube and including a fixed annular flange disposed on one side of said unrestricted vent port for sealing engagement with a movable seal surface, said movable seal surface being arranged on a movable body disposed in said filler tube and permitting communication between said unrestricted vent port and said fuel tank interior when the closure means is removed from the open ended filler tube, said movable body being adapted for endwise movement in said filler tube between first and second positions and includes a threaded portion which engages a threaded portion on said filler tube closure means, the engagement between said threaded portions causing the endwise displacement of said movable body in said filler tube.   
     
     
       25. In combination with a fluid container having a filler neck defining an opening through which fluid is admitted into the container, rotatable closure means for closing said opening, vapor ventilation means including a nonrestricted vent port leading from said filler neck, and an apparatus for controlling vapor loss from said container, said apparatus comprising: positionally responsive means arranged in said opening and including a movable member arranged in combination with said vent port for controlling fuel vapor flow from said container as a function of said closure means disposition, said movable member including a spool-like body having axially spaced oppositely facing first and second shoulders and an axially extending opening therethrough.   
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said closing means said spool-like body have interengaging elements which when said closing means is rotated in one direction, causes said positionally responsive means to close off said vapor ventilation means from said container and which, when said closing means is rotated in an opposite direction, allows said vapor ventilation means to communicate with said fluid container. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said positionally responsive means further includes a ring-like member disposed between said first and second shoulders of said movable member. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said ring-like member includes first and second flanges which are adapted for sealing engagement with said first and second shoulders on said movable member. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein at least one of said flanges is defined by a sealant ring carried by said ring-like member. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said ring-like member is sealingly accommodated within said filler neck. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said spool-like body includes sealant means arranged in combination with said opening for accommodating and snugly fitting about a pump nozzle. 
     
     
       32. In combination with a fluid container having a filler neck defining an inlet through which fluid is admitted into said container, a cap for closing and opening said inlet, vapor ventilation means including a nonrestricted vent port provided in said inlet for connecting the interior of said container with an enclosed chamber, and an apparatus for controlling vapor passage from said container during a filling process, said apparatus comprising: an operative assembly arranged in said inlet to sealingly surround a liquid dispenser nozzle inserted into said inlet and through said operative assembly, said operative assembly being movable between a first position wherein it prevents communication between said container and said vapor ventilation means and a second position wherein it permits communication between said vapor ventilation means and said container, the position of said operative assembly being automatically controlled by said cap.   
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said operative assembly includes an elongated body member having axially spaced first and second shoulders and an axially extending opening therethrough. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said cap and said body member have interengaging elements which, when said cap is sufficiently rotated in one direction, causes said body member to be positionally arranged to close off said nonrestricted vent port from said container interior and which, when said cap is rotated in the opposite direction allows communication between said container interior and said enclosed chamber through said vent port. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said operative assembly further includes an annular apertured stationary member disposed between said first and second shoulders of said body member. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said annular member includes first and second flanges adapted for sealing engagement with said first and second shoulders on said body member. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said operative assembly includes valve assembly means disposed between said stationary member and said enclosed chamber for preventing liquid from being delivered to said chamber. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said operative assembly further includes a pressure relief valve provided in said stationary member. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said elongated body is endwise movable in said inlet. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said body is resiliently biased from one position to another when said cap opens said inlet.